The Tampa Bay Rays (5-5) defeated the Chicago Cubs (4-6) 6-4 on Monday afternoon at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. It was the Rays first game at the Trop since September 22nd 2024, after Hurricane Milton destroyed the roof on October 9th 2024.
After falling behind 2-0 in the second, the Rays answered with a two-run homer from Cedric Mullens and a RBI single from Yandy Diaz in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead. Junior Caminero added a solo homer in the third to make it 4-2. Jonathan Aranda added a two-run homer in the seventh to give the Rays six runs, en route to a 6-4 victory.
Shane McClanahan got the start and allowed two earned runs on one hit in four innings of work while striking out five and walking four. Kevin Kelly (1-1, 12.27) got the win out of the bullpen, while Bryan Baker earned his first save of the season after allowing one earned run in the ninth inning.
The Rays will now look to win the series against the Cubs coming up on Tuesday night. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 6:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 5:30 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES